Football legend Lionel Messi delivered another historic performance on the world’s biggest stage, scoring a sensational hat-trick to guide Argentina to a convincing 3-0 win over Algeria in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match.
The Argentina captain not only secured a comfortable victory for the defending champions but also etched his name deeper into football history by equalling the all-time FIFA World Cup goal-scoring record.
Messi Equals Historic World Cup Record
With his three goals against Algeria, Messi reached 16 FIFA World Cup goals, matching the long-standing tournament record held by German football icon Miroslav Klose.
The achievement adds another remarkable milestone to an already legendary career and further strengthens Messi’s status as one of the greatest players in football history.
Adding to the significance of the moment, the hat-trick was the first World Cup hat-trick of Messi’s illustrious career.
Argentina Start Title Defence in Style
Argentina entered the tournament as defending champions and quickly demonstrated why they remain among the favourites to lift the trophy once again.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a spectacular strike from outside the penalty area. The goal energized Argentine supporters and set the tone for a dominant performance.
The first half ended with Argentina holding a narrow lead, but the second half belonged entirely to their captain.
In the 60th minute, Messi doubled Argentina’s advantage with a composed finish following a well-constructed attacking move. Just 16 minutes later, he completed his hat-trick with another brilliant effort that left the Algerian defence helpless.
The third goal sparked celebrations throughout the stadium as Argentina moved firmly into control of the contest.
Oldest Player to Score a World Cup Hat-Trick
At 38 years and 357 days old, Messi also became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in FIFA World Cup history.
The record highlights the forward’s remarkable fitness, consistency, and ability to perform at the highest level despite approaching his 39th birthday.
Throughout the match, Messi displayed his trademark vision, creativity, and finishing ability, proving that age has done little to diminish his influence on the game.
Standing Ovation for Argentina’s Captain
With the result secured, Argentina’s coaching staff substituted Messi in the 80th minute to preserve his energy for the remainder of the tournament.
The decision was met with a standing ovation from fans, who recognized they had witnessed another unforgettable chapter in the superstar’s World Cup journey.
As Messi left the field, supporters celebrated both the victory and the history-making performance that further cemented his legendary legacy.
What This Means for Argentina
The convincing victory gives Argentina the perfect start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign and sends a strong message to rival nations.
With Messi leading the charge and the squad showing impressive form, Argentina will enter their upcoming matches full of confidence as they pursue back-to-back World Cup titles.
If the opening match is any indication, the reigning champions remain one of the tournament’s strongest contenders, and Lionel Messi continues to be the heartbeat of their ambitions.
